West Virginia Code
Article 5. Vital Statistics
§16-5-11. Registration of Infants and Minors Born With Specified Birth Defects

(a) When a live birth occurs, the physician or midwife in attendance at, or present immediately after, the birth shall examine the infant for any of the following birth defects:
(1) Anencephaly;
(2) Spina bifida;
(3) Hydrocephaly;
(4) Cleft palate;
(5) Total cleft lip;
(6) Esophageal atresia and atenosis;
(7) Rectal and anal atresia;
(8) Hypospadias;
(9) Reduction and deformity - upper limb;
(10) Reduction and deformity - lower limb;
(11) Congenital dislocation of the hip;
(12) Down's syndrome;
(13) Visual impairments;
(14) Sickle cell anemia; and
(15) Others as may be requested by the commissioner.
(b) If any such impairment is found in an infant, or in any subsequent examination of any minor which has not been previously diagnosed, the examining physician, midwife or other health care provider licensed under chapter thirty of the code shall within thirty days of the examination make a report of the diagnosis to the state Registrar or other agency within the bureau as designated by the commissioner on forms provided by the bureau. The report shall include the name of the child, the name or names of the parents or parent or guardian, a description of the impairment and other related information as specified by the commissioner.
(c) The information received by the state Registrar or other agency within the bureau as designated by the commissioner pursuant to this section pertaining to the identity of the persons named shall be kept confidential: Provided, That if consent of a parent, or of the guardian is obtained, the state Registrar or other agency within the bureau as designated by the commissioner may provide the information to federal, state, and local government agencies so that the information can be utilized to provide assistance or services for the benefit of the child.

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